Two Halves of a A Vampires Soul (The Silver Series)

by Samantha Bates

  "Really, Vlad was just saying how sexy they were, weren’t you darling?"

  Vlad had come to stand behind her. Running his hands down her arms, he knew where she was going. "I certainly was, Beth has exquisite taste. It makes men drool including me."

  Plastering the smile on her face, Beth addressed Talia. "I am so lucky to have met Vlad in this time era. He hates those old fashioned gowns; it might even have stopped our love developing."

  Beth walked off leaving an open mouthed Talia. Going into her office she shut the door quietly, before letting out a silent scream. She was still hurt that he thought no more of her than he did his men. After everything they had shared last night, last night he lay with her in his arms and didn’t think to mention that he was being poisoned.

  Sorting through the post she placed his bills at the forefront, before making her way back to his office. Talia was sat at the large table fidgeting and sighing simultaneously, clearly bored already.

  "Vlad these bills need signing for payment. Oh and do you like my skirt?"

  He did indeed like the skirt, in a navy blue satin material and hung loose to her knees swishing as she walked. Considering she was angry with him Vlad thought that maybe she had forgiven him, until he looked into her eyes, maybe not.

  "Uh I think it looks lovely." Before adding under his breath, "I would however, prefer you without any skirt."

  He was expecting a witty comment, or at the very least a small smile. He was dismayed when she walked away. Just as she got to the door, she dropped a pencil. Necessitating her to bend over, giving a hint of her long, creamy legs.

  Vlad again found his body tightening around his groin, the woman was menace. Then he saw Talia watching him; but she was a shrewd menace who walked out of the room.

  "Wow, I don’t know how she always looks amazing. Her taste is flawless."

  "You can't seriously like all that short skirt and tight tops business. I thought you always said leave something to the imagination."

  With a sigh he answered. "Until I met Beth, I did. I think she could make anyone look stunning in the right clothes."

  Beth was stood only a foot from the door thankful that Vlad had gotten the message. Going back to her office she made some phone calls not wanting to appear obvious. Giving herself an hour she arranged the week's meetings before heading back to the office.

  Vlad had his head down reading through papers. Although he was absorbed in the task, he looked up momentarily flashing a smile before continuing. Talia was watching her with interest.

  Moving behind Vlad, Beth wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly littered kisses down the nape of his neck. Beth felt him stop reading and then he turned his head to kiss her.

  "Beth you smell amazing." Beth didn’t expect the compliment which caused her to blush.

  "Vlad, I am pretty much on top of everything so I was thinking about doing some shopping. Do you want to join me?"

  "Although that sounds like fun I really have too much to do."

  "Really, I get bored without you." She kissed him again the passion between them heating the room.

  "For god's sake, I will go with you if you let him up for air. You are both starting to make me nauseous." Talia had stood watching them with her hands on her hips.

  "That sounds marvellous, Beth I am sure you could help Talia become more accustomed to New York fashion and here take my card."

  Chapter 33

  With Beth's plan in action Vlad had insisted Ice and Shaun accompany them for protection. Ice had insisted that Talia's goons accompany them; apparently he had no intention of carrying her bags.

  As they traipsed from one shop to another, Beth was surprised to see Talia letting her make all of the decisions on her new wardrobe. Whatever Beth said Talia agreed to, considering Beth's dislike of the other woman that wasn’t a good thing. Well for Beth it was, unfortunately it wasn't for Talia.

  They frequented many of Beth's favourite shops, most had new lines in and Beth was in her element. After the first shop she had to refrain from looking at Ice and Shaun, their faces made her laugh. In the first shop, she had picked some clothes for Talia to try on. With her black hair and pale skin she had a look that could if used right look timeless. With the clothes and make up Talia used, she looked a little like a transvestite from another time. After tonight, she would look like a transvestite, only from this time.

  Handing her some gaudy, outrageous dresses and skirts, which were just a little too tight, had Ice and Shaun turning away in amusement. By the time they reached the fourth shop, Beth had some beautiful purchases, and Shaun and Ice had stopped looking when Talia emerged from the dressing rooms. In fact, Beth had not had this much fun since she had bonded to Vlad. Granted it was at Talia's expense, she would take what she could get.

  By the time they returned to the house, Ice and Shaun were also weighed down with bags and parcels. Talia was smiling smugly, but Beth was the one feeling smug. Immediately Talia headed to Vlads study, Beth followed and slumped in the chair waiting for the show.

  "Vlad you wait just there, I want you to show you all of the things that you have brought me tonight. It is only fair that as you paid for them, I model them for you." Instead of answering Talia, he looked to Beth.

  "I agree use my office Talia." Talia carried the first bags through with her.

  "Beth about earlier…" She ignored his attempt at an apology.

  "Vlad it doesn’t matter I know my place, and I will not forget that in the future."

  "Wait don’t say…" He was interrupted by Talia's entrance. Wearing a light pink baby doll skirt, with a very mismatched green floral blouse, and red stilettos Vlad was speechless. Talia took this as a good sign.

  "You just wait until you see the next one." Ice and Shaun were leaning against the windows trying to hide their guffaws. By the time Vlad had found his voice Talia had returned, this time wearing a pair of too tight metallic blue hot pants and an orange boob tube.

  "That looks; well…I don’t know what to say."

  "I know it is great isn’t it. I feel liberated."

  Slightly flustered Vlad responded. "Well that has to be the main thing." When she left to change again, Vlad addressed Ice and Shaun.

  "Leave, this is hard enough without you two chuckling in the background." He did struggle to muffle his own laughter.

  After Ice and Shaun left he turned to Beth. "Well I have to say, I am amused and shocked at you Beth. It never occurred to me that you would use shopping as payback to Talia."

  Beth smiled sweetly. "Really it shows how well we know each other." As she stood to leave he grabbed her arm.

  "Beth I truly am sorry."

  With a sigh her eyes failed to hide her sadness. "I accept your apology, but it doesn’t change anything does it Vlad and it was stupid of me to think one night together would make everything right." She left Vlad to continue enjoying Talia's little display. Climbing into bed she couldn’t stop the tears from falling, as she drifted into sleep.

  Chapter 34

  When her dreams took her tonight, Xin was already waiting for her in a tiny room where Vlad lay sleeping. Even in the tranquillity of sleep he looked tired and worn. There was no sign of Talia.

  "Talia ran after she watched Vlad return expecting his anger. Right now he has been without her for nearly two centuries. Although that sounds good, he has also been without any company for many of those years. Vlad was unwilling to allow himself to get close to anyone for fear of Talia hurting them."

  "But it wasn’t his fault, it was Talia."

  "To an outsider that is the truth, but to the man in front of you he is the one Talia did this to, so in his head it is his fault."

  "Well of course he would think that, the man is an idiot." The vehemence in Beth's voice made Xin laugh. They both watched in silence as Vlad rose, it was Xin who broke the silence.

  "Tonight that loneliness is broken. Tonight begins the dawning of the man you know today."

  Vlad was dressed im
maculately, if not somewhat extravagantly. Wearing brown silk breeches that stuck out at the waist, and a frilly long sleeved shirt that was partially covered with a red and blue doublet breasted jacket, he looked strange and funny. Beth was almost as amused now as she was when she had been shopping with Talia. That was until he added the hat; oh my god was that a Capotain hat, it had to be. With its wide brim, the top of which ended about two feet from Vlads head. Beth could stand it no more and promptly burst out laughing.

  "What I wouldn’t give for a picture of this." Clutching her sides in an attempt to stop the laughter helped restrain it, until Vlad faced himself in the mirror giving himself a look of appreciation. Then she started again, her laughter infecting Xin.

  That was until the scene moved to the docks. "Where are we Xin?"

  "We are back in London. Vlad returned here although at the time he couldn’t fathom why."

  They watched him move to a recently docked boat climbing aboard as if he owned the place, he walked with purpose. A purpose that became clear as Vlad did own the boat.

  "Sir, the Indian shipment is all ready to unload. Although the crew are ailing so you may want to leave. The ship's doctor thinks it is gastro, and it seems it is contagious."

  Vlad waved away his Captains concerns as he ventured to the cargo hold, surveying his wares he was pleased the order appeared complete. Now he just had to unload, he had arranged for wagons to arrive, but that wouldn’t get them off the boat. Spying the nearest tavern Vlad entered immediately assailed by the sounds and sights of a room full of people. Looking around he noted two males each separate but both vampires, watching the people drinking. He wanted strong and fast people and who better than vampires.

  Approaching the least affable looking one Vlad spoke "Do you have a name?"

  "No." He was tall with longish blonde hair; it curled around his ears, but was flattened by his own Capotain. Looking at the dark blue eyes, Beth only took a second to gasp the name. "Ice."

  Vlad could feel the anger pounding off the man in waves, people automatically avoided the man. But when he looked at Vlad, all Vlad saw was his own lack of control reflected there. He knew this man was already several hundred years old but his talent was raw and unharnessed.

  "I need a ship emptying, help me now and I will help you in return."

  The attitude was most surely Ice. "Do I look like I need any help?"

  Vlad sat opposite the man at the table. "You have unused talent, your powers can exceed your expectations, and I know how to help you with that."

  "Oi mister, you have no idea what you are talking about. I could snap your neck before you have time to blink."

  With a laugh that was swallowed in the crowd, he leaned forward. "You are a fool; you do not even recognise your own kind."

  Beth watched as Vlad stood and walked away. Ice was watching him, with precisely no emotion on his face.

  Vlad moved over to the next man, a smaller man than Ice with a twinkle in his bright green eyes.

  "I see the sullen one did not heed your words, for sure it's no shame, that one heeds no-one. He comes here night after night, watching and skulking."

  "That's Shaun." She didn’t expect a response from Xin so engrossed in the scene that neither required the dialogue.

  "Ah, so you at least recognise one of your own."

  “Aye I do, I always know one of my own alas I know you. I also know you be wanting that ship unloaded."

  Vlad was shocked at the man's knowledge. "No point in asking the how's, I won't answer. Let's just say I know where me talents lie."

  "And what say you?" This man was entertaining, in a different way than the other one.

  "Aye I will, but only because you be getting some unwanted visitors this night. Four men have been watching that ship o yours, wanting to know who owns such a rich cargo. You is not well known around here, and they will for sure be wanting a fight."

  "And yet you still come." This Irish man seemed to know everything; people were smiling, and nodding at the man as they passed. It seemed that he was everyone's friend.

  "Tis the blood of the Irish, always up for a fight. Let's go."

  They left and started unloading the cargo; the wagon arrived and took the first delivery to his warehouse. Conscious of the threat to his cargo he asked if Shaun would mind accompanying the driver. He seemed worried about missing a fight yet reluctantly agreed. It may have been foolish to trust him, but Vlad was unconcerned. If he betrayed him, he would find him and kill him.

  The night was dark and chilly, he had removed his doublet. Not because he was sweating, the benefit of being a vampire meant that the weather did not concern him. But he did not want to ruin his clothing. The shiver down his back warned him before he saw the threat behind him. Standing tall with the pretence of stretching his achy muscles he turned, to see the four men were now in front of him. The dark of the night seeming to shroud them in shadows, but he saw them clearly. All had been drinking, taking in his lithe frame their bravado increased. Xin had always taught him never to underestimate the enemy; unfortunately no-one had told these men that.

  "Good evening gentleman, I see you have noticed my predicament. I offer a gold coin to whoever is willing to assist me in unloading."

  One looked tempted, but only one of the four. "We will help you alright, but when it is unloaded we will be unloading all of the spoils from you."

  "That seems an unfair trade may we negotiate."

  As the bigger of the men stepped forward, he pulled a plank of wood from behind him. "Nay, there will be no negotiations."

  Flexing his arms Vlad prepared. Only to watch the men fall, as the man from the tavern bowled through them. The first he bashed in the back of the head with such force Vlad thought the man's head would fall off. The next two, he barged through elbowing one in the stomach causing him to vomit, and for the other he lifted his fist backwards, breaking his nose. The fourth jumped for him, he was flung over the man's shoulder against the lamp post before collapsing.

  Without saying anything, he boarded the ship and returned with an armful of silks just as Shaun returned. Jumping off the wagon he surveyed the scene.

  "For sure, you couldn’t have left just one for me. I am not sure I like this partnership." Vlad pondered on the words 'partnership', maybe these men would be worth keeping on.

  "So grumpy one, you don’t perchance happen to have a name do ye?"

  With the smile still on his face Shaun continued. "Aye, not surprised am I? Cold one you are, as cold as ice. Hey be jeezus I like it, well man with no name I will call ye, Ice."

  "Hey boss, meet this here Ice."

  With a frown Ice looked at Shaun saying nothing, then to Vlad. "I have no intention of calling you boss."

  "I have no expectation that you do. Call me Vlad."

  The scene moved on fast, yet it was slow enough to see the nights of training Vlad put Shaun and Ice through. It looked hard but rewarding; Beth could actually see their relationship developing. Occasionally she saw Vlad smile and laugh, Ice rarely did either. She could see that both were enjoying the friendship. Shaun smiled and laughed all of the time.

  "And that is the start of a friendship that has lasted over 400 years." Xin smiled warmly at the scene in front of him. When they stopped again they were in New York.

  "London was a brief stopover point, the men had heard about this land in the America's which is how it was known then. With their wealth from Vlads investments they arrived in America, in the early 17th Century where Tsychosky's was born."

  Again the laughter formed when she saw Vlad and Shaun wearing wigs, white wigs and hats with three points. She could deal with the stockings over his trousers even though it looked ridiculous, and even she could see the elegance in the gold embroidered jacket. But the wigs and hats were too much.

  Stifling even more laughter Beth watched the men interacting with the vampires in New York, she quickly saw how disorganised the fraction was. They were killing indiscriminately, taking advantage
of the huge population. She saw a male who must have been the head vampire at the time.

  He looked to be a brutish man, with a beard hanging past his shoulders, long hair and an obvious penchant for young females. Vlad, Shaun and Ice, did not seem to have much in the way of interactions with the man, seemingly preferring a quieter existence. Until one fateful evening when the men had been in one of the local taverns. Although none of them were drunk, Shaun was extremely merry, laughing and joking with passers-by.

  Hearing a scream from a nearby alley they all stopped. Beth and Xin fast forwarded to the alleyway, only to see a young female being held by two vampires. To their side was a man being held back by two more vampires? Beth could see the tear in the man's neck, where one of the vampires had already fed from him. She smiled when she saw the teeth marks on the vampires face. Clearly the man had got in one of his own, good for him.

  "Stop struggling you silly man." The head vampire stepped forward to face the man. "I do like the fight in you mmm…." He stepped closer, tilted his head and bit the man. After sucking from him, he cut his finger and dripped some blood into the man's mouth.

  The woman screamed causing the man to laugh. He turned to the woman and grabbed her head. Yanking it back he kissed her hard. As she struggled, he kissed her harder only letting go when she squealed. He moved his head back, and Beth looked in horror at the blood coming from the woman's lip. The man moved forward and licked it, while grabbing her breast hard. He didn’t stop there, but pulled the bodice of her top down, exposing her breasts.

  "Well hello there fellows, mind if I join ye?" Shaun meandered down the alleyway seemingly drunk, stumbling while laughing away to himself.

  "You idiot go, vampire or not I will rip out your heart with my bare hands." The head vampire looked mean enough to send shivers down Beth's spine. Shaun laughed; ignoring the threat in what seemed a death wish, until another voice came from the dark shadows.

  "Let the girl go." Vlad stepped forward, all neat and groomed. Beth experienced another shiver but for a different reason, minus the wig and hat (thank god) he looked dashing, handsome and a little scary.